All About Massage Therapists
Position Description Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
What Do Massage Therapists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Consult with other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists, to develop treatment plans for clients.
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Prepare and blend oils and apply the blends to clients' skin.
- Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.
- Use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients' recovery, relaxation, and well-being.
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Massage Therapist Skills
When polled, Massage Therapists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Massage Therapist Jobs
- Swedish Masseuse
- Deep Tissue Massage Therapist
- Bodywork Therapist
- Skin Therapist
- Massage Therapist
Job Outlook for Massage Therapists
In the United States, there were 160,300 jobs for Massage Therapist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 26.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 42,100 new jobs for Massage Therapist by 2026. There will be an estimated 22,600 positions for Massage Therapist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Massage Therapist are Washington, Utah, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Maryland, Vermont, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Massage Therapist Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Massage Therapists is somewhere between $21,340 and $78,280.
Massage Therapists who work in Alaska, Washington, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
How much do Massage Therapists make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,890 |
| Alaska | $82,280 |
| Arizona | $42,340 |
| Arkansas | $41,890 |
| California | $41,460 |
| Colorado | $46,190 |
| Connecticut | $43,170 |
| District of Columbia | $40,890 |
| Florida | $46,240 |
| Georgia | $37,210 |
| Hawaii | $61,750 |
| Idaho | $50,560 |
| Illinois | $46,340 |
| Indiana | $48,650 |
| Iowa | $40,030 |
| Kansas | $29,370 |
| Kentucky | $52,960 |
| Louisiana | $30,060 |
| Maine | $43,450 |
| Maryland | $42,430 |
| Massachusetts | $53,750 |
| Michigan | $42,710 |
| Minnesota | $52,910 |
| Mississippi | $29,080 |
| Missouri | $37,100 |
| Montana | $46,500 |
| Nebraska | $45,340 |
| Nevada | $29,620 |
| New Hampshire | $47,360 |
| New Jersey | $44,610 |
| New Mexico | $42,260 |
| New York | $52,830 |
| North Carolina | $41,560 |
| North Dakota | $39,640 |
| Ohio | $39,370 |
| Oklahoma | $41,770 |
| Oregon | $64,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,730 |
| Rhode Island | $40,970 |
| South Carolina | $41,440 |
| South Dakota | $34,350 |
| Tennessee | $44,190 |
| Texas | $49,100 |
| Utah | $40,880 |
| Vermont | $44,580 |
| Virginia | $38,990 |
| Washington | $62,520 |
| West Virginia | $34,750 |
| Wisconsin | $42,440 |
| Wyoming | $43,060 |
What Tools & Technology do Massage Therapists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Massage Therapists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Scheduling software
How do I Become a Massage Therapist?
Learn what Massage Therapist education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Massage Therapists Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Massage Therapists employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Massage Therapist may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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